Kurseong

Kurseong is small town situated at the at an of 2458 Mts.(4864 ft) form he sea leavel. The word Kurseong means - the place of White Orchid. Because of its lower elevation, Kurseong enjoys a milder and very healthy climate throughout the year. Kurseong's natural advantages make it a very attractive tourist destination. It is the peace, serenity and the healthy climate of Kurseong, that attracted many a great person to this place.

History

Kurseong was ceded to the British Empire by the king of Sikkim in 1835. Later in 1880, the small hamlet became a tourist destination for the colonial authorities and was a preferred place for sanatoriums where the sick would recuperate. Thereafter, the Kurseong T.B. Sanatorium was built because the climate and environment was healthy and rejuvenating for the sick and elderly.
The serenity and beauty of Kurseong has also attracted and inspired famous personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, Atul Prasad Sen, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Sister Nivedita. Mark Twain is also supposed to have visited Kurseong in 1885 and spent some time here. It is believed that Rabindranath Tagore was inspired to write a few poems when he visited the hill station while Netaji Subhash Chandra was sent to Kurseong for his internship in 1936; the house he stayed is still restored in Giddapahar, a few kilometers from Kurseong.

Places To Visit

Some main attractions you can visit are:-
1.The Ambhotia Shiva Temple. (The way towards Ambhotia Tea Estate and the temple in itself is a lifetime experience of scenic beauty.
2.Deer Park - Now known as DowHill Park, on the DowHill Road. 3. The Kholas (Water Falls - Springs) like Whistle Khola [ named by the Britishers, as there is a bend and the toy train whistles when passing through it, locals call it Hussel Khola.
3.Buddhist Gompa in Dowhill Road.

Education

The schools of Kurseong can be classified into 2 distinct groups. The English Medium and the Nepali Medium. The English medium schools are mostly affiliated to the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education [ICSE], Delhi while the Nepali Medium Schools are affiliated to the State Education Board ie West Bengal Board of Secondary Education [WBBSE], Calcutta. Some of the schools are also affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education [CBSE], Delhi. Kurseong has one college "Kurseong College" which is affiliated to the University of North Bengal. It provides undergraduate studies - Bachelor of Arts [General and Honours], Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce [General] the institute is fast developing and is offering bachelor degrees in various fields of science, commecrce and especially with the introduction of economics honours.

Transport

Air Route: Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri, is 60 km away.
Train Route: Siliguri, 50 km and New Jalpaiguri, 57 km are the nearest main stations. It is an important station on the toy train route from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. The Toy Train takes a little over 5 hours from New Jalpaiguri to Kurseong.
Road Ways: Kurseong is also well connected by roads.